Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2004 Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Calgary Sun Contact: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67 Author: Nadia Moharib Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations NEIGHBOURS STUNNED BY DRUG BUST Lee Courtney finds it hard to imagine a marijuana grow operation could put down roots in her neighbourhood. She even rationalized away clues the tidy, two-storey 300 Chaparral Place home next door could possibly be harbouring a "large drug operation" inside. But all illusions were gone when Dist. 8 detectives found 512 plants, estimated at $750,000 in street value inside the house yesterday morning. They were still looking for two suspects last night. Courtney said the couple, a man and woman, living in the home for the past year are the only residents in the tight-knit, cul-de-sac who always had their blinds shut. Last fall she noticed "a skunky smell," coming from the home. "I was joking about it being a grow operation," she said. Her suspicions were rekindled when she saw brown stuff oozing down the side of the house, and condensation, prompting her to contact a neighbour who called police. "I hate to think it happens in any neighbourhood, never mind next door." RCMP also busted three grow ops in central Alberta last week tallying about $350,000. Mounties seized about 160 plants in Red Deer, 170 in Innisfail, and nine more in the county of Kneehill where a large number of firearms were also seized. Four people have been charged in the raids. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin